Seventh Seal: Criterion Collection – Blu Ray Review

The Film:

The Seventh Seal is one of those special movies that seems completely familiar to people all across the world, whether they’ve seen it or not. It’s been completely embedded into our collective conscience through decades of praise, imitation, and parody. Released in 1957, this is perhaps the most beloved film of prolific Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, a man who made deeply personal films about his insecurities, fears, and horrific memories. It stood alone in it’s time as an unflinching philosophical debate on the existence of God and what waits for us after death. For material so grim, however, Bergman was also capable of making the film endlessly fascinating and entertaining.

After fighting for ten years in the Crusades, Antonius Block (Max von Sydow) and his squire, Jons (Gunnar Bjornstrand), return home to Sweden and find their country ridden with the plague. On the seashore, Antonius is confronted by Death (Bengt Ekerot), a figure with a bald pale face and long black robes. Before Death takes him away, Antonius proposes a challenge: a game of chess. Death accepts, and the terms are set – should Antonius win, he gets to keep his life. This, however, isn’t so much a method of survival as it is a stall for time, a much needed reprieve which will allow Antonius to overcome his insecurities about faith and destiny.

Meanwhile, we meet a troupe of traveling entertainers – the impish musician, Jof (Nils Poppe); his devoted wife, Mia (Bibi Andersson); and the repulsive Skat (Erik Strandmark). Skat runs off with a blacksmith’s wife (Inga Gill), leaving Jof to be humiliated and threatened at the hands of her insecure husband, Plog (Ake Fridell). Antonius and Jons meet up with the entertainers and travel to Antonius’ castle as the game between he and death approaches it’s end.

Because The Seventh Seal has it’s reputation as an endlessly bleak film, it’s easy to overlook the amount of wit and humor in the dialogue. To contrast the beautiful yet grim poetry of Antonius’ monologues, squire Jons acts as a clown. He teases his companions, and forms a relationship with Plog through his pessimistic insights on women (“Best to kill them all while the fun lasts!”).

Only certain films contain sequences it’s audience will never forget, and The Seventh Seal has at least half a dozen of them. I was underwhelmed when I first saw it, but revisiting it after familiarizing myself with more of Bergman’s library was beneficial to my understanding and appreciation of the film. Although I still have reservations regarding the highly contrasting tones (the scenes with Jons and Plog in particular), it’s impossible to overlook the pitch-perfect acting, dialogue, and cinematography. It’s not my favorite of Bergman’s works, but it grows on me more by the day – it’s a film without boundaries, one that broadens on each revisit.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: I no longer have Criterion‘s previous release of the film on DVD, and therefore I cannot compare the two. From judging this one on it’s own, however, I can tell you that it’s a very impressive presentation. There’s virtually no damage or artifacts, and the blacks are rich and deep. Perhaps the only complaint about the transfer is the 1:33:1 aspect ratio that has been picture-boxed. The audio track is not flawless, but I’d imagine it’s the best you’ll ever hear the film.

Introduction by Ingmar Bergman: This was recorded at the same time that Bergman Island was filmed, and it runs about three minutes in length. Bergman says that although he doesn’t enjoy watching his own films, he’s confident that The Seventh Seal still holds up as one of his finest.

Audio Commentary: The commentary track is an old one, but a good one. It’s done by a Bergman scholar, Peter Cowie, and was originally recorded in 1987. It’s since been used on both the laserdisc version of the film and the previous Criterion DVD release.

Afterward: This is an 11 minute follow up to Peter Cowie’s commentary track in which he discusses what he’s learned about the film since the recording. For example, 95% of the film was shot on set, and he cites the only three instances in the film that involved on-location shooting.

Max von Sydow Audio Interview: Peter Cowie also contributes this audio interview to the disc, which is about 20 minutes of Max von Sydow discussing his career. He reveals some interesting anecdotes about his childhood, working with Ingmar Bergman, and his struggles with translating as an actor in Hollywood.

Woody Allen on Bergman: Originally filmed for Turner Classic Movies, this is an 8 minute piece that features Woody Allen discussing his love for Bergman’s films and the influence they’ve had on him as a director. Woody’s respect for Bergman is widely published, however it’s always entertaining to hear just how passionate he is about the director.

Trailer: A pretty self-explanatory feature, but it’s interesting if only to see what the focus of the trailer is.

Bergman Island: Here is the main selling point for the disc. The film, directed by Marie Nyreröd as a three-part series for Swedish television, involves a series of interviews with Bergman on his home of FÃ¥rö island. It’s 87 minutes in total, and succeeds in painting an intimate portrait of the reclusive director. For such a sophisticated director, he’s highly accessible and unpretentious, allowing the audience full admission into his home. You might say it’s Ingmar Bergman’s take on Cribs.

Bergman 101: This is an updated version of the visual essay Peter Cowie completed for the laserdisc version of the film and the previous DVD release. It runs about 35 minutes in total, and in it Peter Cowie discusses Bergman from his childhood, to working in the theater, to his film career. It’s strewn together with photographs, stills, and clips from Bergman’s film library, and it’s an incredibly informative crash course for anybody new to the director. And, for someone like me who has seen about ten of his films – it’ll make you realize that you’ve hardly scratched the surface of what he’s done.

Conclusion: It should go without saying that The Seventh Seal is one of those movies that every film buff should have in their collection. Although I’ve not yet fallen in love with the film, it’s a great discussion piece, and something to revisit every couple of years. Had the film been released without a single special feature, I’d still recommend buying it.

But, of course, the special features are plentiful. Bergman Island is being sold individually for people uninteresting in double-dipping on The Seventh Seal, and it’s well worth the price as a stand-alone. To be included as a special feature on this disc is overwhelming, and one of the most worthwhile features I’ve seen on a Criterion disc. When you also consider the Bergman 101 doc, the Max von Sydow interviews, the afterward, etc. – you’re getting a hell of a lot for a small price.

The star rating I give is for the film, but the disc itself is an easy 5/5. Amazon.com is currently selling both the Blu-ray and DVD for $24.99, and I cannot recommend it enough. The special features alone are worth the price tag.

Rating: